Baritone Paolo Gavanelli heads the cast for Falstaff in Gozo

The Aurora Theatre said that it has lined up “a world-class cast for a premiere production of Falstaff.” Headed by Italian baritone Paolo Gavanelli, the cast for Falstaff is one of the largest, required by a Verdi-score.

With the title role of Sir John Falstaff being the main protagonist, the remaining 9 soloists are musically and scenically equally important and demanding co-protagonists. Therefore, in choosing the main cast, the Aurora theatre said it made “no compromise with quality.”

The cast includes baritone Marzio Giossi as Ford, world-renowned soprano Eva Mei as Mrs Alice Ford, Anna Skibinsky as their daughter Nannetta, Filippo Adami as Fenton, Nannetta’s suitor, together with mezzo-soprano Elisabetta Fiorillo as Dame Quickly, all of which have starred on the stage of the most famous Italian opera house, Teatro Alla Scala of Milan.

They will be flanked by Agata Bienkowska as Meg Page, Manuel Pierattelli as Dr Cajus, Stefano Consolini as Bardolfo and Gianluca Breda as Pistola, who, apart from touring important opera venues around the globe, from Japan to the US, have collaborated with some of the most reputable orchestra conductors including Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel and Daniel Oren to name but few.

Falstaff might not be one of the most frequently performed operas locally and so many people might not be acquainted with its plot (based on literary works by Shakespeare). However, the theatre said that because one might have not heard it, does not mean that one should not watch it. “In fact, more than an opera to be heard, Falstaff is an opera to be watched, as it contains indefatigable action, and above all, laughter,” the theatre said.

The online ticket purchasing system via www.teatruaurora.com launched a few days ago proved popular and therefore opera patrons are highly encouraged to secure their tickets at their earliest convenience to avoid being disappointed, the theatre said.